Liquid collection container and extracorporeal circuit

ABSTRACT

A liquid collection bag is used as a part of an extracorporeal circuit and is connected via a tube to a storage container containing a priming solution. The collection container collects the priming solution from the storage container by a pressure differential between the pressure inside the collection container and the pressure inside the storage container. The liquid collection container is a flexible bag body having a partition part dividing the inside of the bag body into a first space and a second space. In addition, a communication part communicates the first space with the second space.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/355,428filed on Jan. 16, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/679,617 filed on Nov. 16, 2012, the entire content of both ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a liquid collectioncontainer and an extracorporeal circuit. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,446 describes an extracorporeal circuit(extracorporeal apparatus) which extracorporeally circulates blood. Theextracorporeal circuit includes a venous line and an arterial line whichare connected to a patient, a blood reservoir connected on a downstreamside of the venous line, an oxygenator connected on an upstream side ofthe arterial line, and a linkage line which links the blood reservoirand the oxygenator.

When the extracorporeal circuit (hereinafter, simply, circuit) describedin the aforementioned patent is used to extracorporeally circulateblood, a priming solution (for example, physiological saline) is firstfed into the circuit to prime the circuit. Thereafter, extracorporealcirculation is performed. When such an operation is performed, blood isdiluted with the priming solution (hemodilution).

In recent years, a technique of collecting the priming solution as muchas possible so as to hinder blood dilution (hemodilution), i.e., anincrease in dilution ratio of blood, has been adopted prior toperforming extracorporeal circulation. The technique is generallyreferred to as retrograde autologous priming (RAP). To carry out RAP, acollection bag for collecting the priming solution is connected to thecircuit in advance. In this state, blood is drawn from a patient to thecircuit in a direction opposite to the direction of the normal flow ofblood during extracorporeal circulation. Thus, the priming solution inthe circuit is thrust toward the collection bag by the blood. As aresult, the priming solution is collected into the collection bag.

As the collection bag, the one formed by fusing the edges of two sheetmaterials having flexibility is usable. In the collection bag, therespective parts not fused to each other of the two sheet materials (theparts other than the fused part) define the storage space in which apriming solution is stored. Herein, the part of each sheet materialdefining the storage space is referred to as a “storage space definingpart”. The collection bag is configured such that the storage spacedefining parts are in close contact with each other in such a state thata priming solution has not yet been stored in the storage space, i.e.,in an unused state. When the priming solution starts to flow into thestorage space from this state, the storage space defining parts areseparated away from each other, resulting in an increase in volume ofthe storage space. Therefore, the pressure in the storage spacedecreases. At this time, the priming solution is excessively(involuntarily) drawn into (flows into) the storage space from thecircuit. Then, the priming solution further flows into the storagespace, and the volume of the priming solution in the storage spaceapproaches the maximum volume. The pressure in the storage spaceincreases to such a degree as to thrust the priming solution back to thecircuit side, i.e., to hinder the flow of the priming solution into thestorage space. At this point, it becomes impossible to collect thepriming solution. Thus, the priming solution cannot be collected in theproper quantity when the priming solution is desired to be collected.

SUMMARY

A liquid collection bag in combination with a storage container. Theliquid collection bag possesses an interior connected in a fluidcommunicating manner to the interior of the storage container by way ofa tube, with the interior of the liquid collection bag being adapted toreceive and collect liquid from the storage container based on adifference in pressure between an inside of the liquid collection bagand an inside of the storage container. The liquid collection bagcomprises a flexible bag body enclosing the interior of the collectionbag, with a partition part and a second space, and an introduction partconnected to the tube dividing the interior of the collection bag into afirst space and having an end positioned in the first space to introducethe liquid from the storage container which has passed through the tubeinto the first space. The bag body is provided with a communication partextending between the first and second spaces for establishingcommunication between the first space and the second space. The liquidfrom the storage container is introduced into the first space by way ofthe introduction part, and is collected into the second space by way ofthe communication part.

According to another aspect, a method of priming a circuit to be used inextracorporeal blood circulation comprises connecting a blood reservoirto a source of priming solution, wherein the circuit is comprised of anoxygenator, an arterial line connected to the oxygenator, a pumpconnected, a first line connecting in a fluid communicating manner thepump and the bottom of the blood reservoir, a second line connecting ina fluid communicating manner the pump and the oxygenator, a venous lineconnected to the blood reservoir, a flexible collection containerpossessing an interior, and a third line branching from the venous lineand having an open end opening into the interior of the collectioncontainer. The method also comprises positioning the collectioncontainer so that the open end of the third line is positionedelevationally below an objective height in the blood reservoir, andintroducing the priming solution into the blood reservoir from thesource while the third line is closed, wherein the priming solutionflows from the blood reservoir through the first line, through the pump,through the second line, through the oxygenator and through the arterialline. In addition, the third line is opened after the priming solutionin the blood reservoir is elevationally at or above the objective heightso that the priming solution automatically flows into the collectioncontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of the circuitry of anextracorporeal circuit showing one aspect of the manner of use of theextracorporeal circuit disclosed here.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing another aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing another aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing another aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a further aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing another aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing another aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a further aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a further aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a further aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of theextracorporeal circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a further aspect ofthe manner of use of the disclosed extracorporeal circuit.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a blood reservoir included in theextracorporeal circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a liquid collection container or bag inthe use condition and included in the extracorporeal circuit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid collectionbag shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment ofa liquid collection bag included in the extracorporeal circuit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment ofa liquid collection bag included in the extracorporeal circuit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a blood reservoir and a collection bagincluded in an extracorporeal circuit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a blood reservoir and a collection bagincluded in an extracorporeal circuit according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a collection bag to be used in anextracorporeal circuit according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a back perspective view of the collection bag according tothe sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-11 illustrate an example of the circuitry of an extracorporealcircuit according to one embodiment disclosed here. FIG. 12 is a sideview of the blood reservoir included in the FIG. 1 extracorporealcircuit, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a manner of use of oneembodiment of the liquid collection bag included in the extracorporealcircuit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectionalview of the liquid collection bag shown in FIG. 13.

In the description below, for the sake of convenience, the upper part ofFIGS. 12-14 (as well as FIGS. 15-2 discussed below) are referred to asthe “top” or “upper part”, while the lower part thereof is referred toas the “bottom” or “lower part”.

The extracorporeal circuit 1 shown in FIGS. 1-11 extracorporeallycirculates blood B. The extracorporeal circuit 1 is a circuit capable ofperforming RAP (Retrograde Autologous Priming). The term “RAP” as usedhere refers to a technique for hindering dilution of blood with thepriming solution P (hemodilution) by collecting the priming solution Pas much as possible before normal extracorporeal circulation of blood B(for simplicity, the extracorporeal circulation of blood B is referredto as extracorporeal circulation) is performed (see FIG. 11) after theextracorporeal circuit 1 is primed (filled with the priming solution P).

As shown in FIG. 1, the extracorporeal circuit 1 includes a circuit body9 composed of four substantially transparent tubes 90, 92, 93, 96, ablood reservoir 3 connected to the tubes, a pump (centrifugal pump) 4,and an oxygenator 5. Moreover, the extracorporeal circuit 1 includes, inaddition to these components, a bag 6 storing a priming solution P, asubstantially transparent tube 20 fluidly communicating the bag 6 andthe blood reservoir 3, a substantially transparent tube (branch line) 10branching out from the circuit body 9 (tube 91), and a liquid collectionbag (simply hereinafter referred to as a (collection bag)) 7 connectedto the tube 10, a stand or support 8 (collection bag support device) forsupporting the collection bag 7, and two clamps 30 for opening andclosing the tubes 96 and 10, respectively.

In this embodiment, for convenience of description, the portion of thetube 90 extending in a vertical direction on the blood reservoir 3 side(right side) in FIG. 1 is referred to as the “tube 91”, the portion ofthe tube 90 extending in the vertical direction on the oxygenator 5 side(left side) in FIG. 1 is referred to as the “tube 94”, and the portionof the tube 90 extending in the lateral direction between the tube 91and the tube 94 is referred to as the “tube 95”.

The blood reservoir 3 shown in FIG. 12 temporarily stores a liquid(e.g., blood B or a priming solution P) in the extracorporeal circuit 1.The blood reservoir 3 includes a housing 33 composed of a housing body31 and a cover 32. A liquid storage space (storage chamber) 34 existsinside the housing 33 for storing a liquid (blood) is formed.

The housing body 31 is in the shape of a box having a downwardlyprojecting projection 311 at the lower left side as shown in FIG. 12. Atthe lower part of the projection 311, a tubular connecting port(opening) 35 communicating with the liquid storage space 34 is formed.

The cover 32 is engaged with the upper end of the housing body 31 tocover the upper opening of the housing body 31. At prescribed positionsof the cover 32, tubular connecting ports (openings) 36, 37 are formed.

The connecting ports 35-37 are connected in the extracorporeal circuit 1as follows. As shown in FIG. 11, the tube 91 is connected to theconnecting port 37. The tube 91 functions as a venous line. As a result,for performing extracorporeal circulation, blood from a patient flowsinto the housing 33 via the connecting port 37.

The tube 20 is connected to the connecting port 36. The blood reservoir3 and the feed bag 6 are connected or fluidly communicated with oneanother via the tube 20. The priming solution P from the feed bag 6 isfed to the blood reservoir 3 by way of the tube 20.

The tube 92 is connected to the connecting port 35. The blood reservoir3 and the pump 4 are connected via the tube 92. A liquid (blood B orpriming solution P) is fed from the blood reservoir 3 to the oxygenator5 by the operation of the oxygenator.

In use, the blood reservoir 3 is positioned so that the connecting ports36, 37 are located at the vertically upper part of the reservoir whilethe connecting port 35 is located at the lower part of the reservoir.

The tube 381 is connected to the connecting port 37 and extendsdownwardly inside the housing 33. This allows the tube 381 tocommunicate with the tube 91 on the upper end side of the reservoir viathe connecting port 37. Further, the lower end 381 a of the tube 381 isopen. As shown in FIG. 12, the lower end 381 a is located in thevicinity of the bottom 312 of the housing projection 311, and faces thebottom 312.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a filter member 382 is disposed outside thetube 381. The filter member 382 is in the shape of a sack and sheathesthe tube 381. The upper end of the filter member 382 is supported by thecover 32. The filter member 382 removes foreign matter or bubbles inblood. The filter member 382 is preferably formed of a porous materialhaving sufficient blood permeability.

A filter member 392 in the shape of a sack is disposed on the housing 33side of the connecting port 36. The upper end of the filter member 392is supported by the cover 32. The filter member 392 removes foreignmatter or bubbles in the priming solution P, transfusional blood, or areplacement fluid. The material from which the filter member 392 ispreferably formed is a porous material having sufficient primingsolution (liquid) permeability.

Antifoaming members are preferably also provided. These antifoamingmembers are preferably positioned between the tube 381 and the filtermember 382, and inside the filter member 392.

The material forming the tube 381 is not particularly limited. Examplesof suitable materials may include polymer materials such aspolycarbonate, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.

Further, examples of the porous material forming the filter members 382,392 may include mesh-like ones, a woven fabric, and a nonwoven fabric.These may be used alone, or in given combination (particularly inlamination) thereof.

The oxygenator 5 performs gas exchange with respect to blood B. As shownin FIG. 1 (and in FIGS. 2-11), the oxygenator 5 includes a blood inflowport 512 through which blood flows into the oxygenator 5, a bloodoutflow port 513 through which blood flows out of the oxygenator 5, agas inflow port 514 through which oxygen gas flows therein, a gasoutflow port through which unnecessary gas is discharged, a heat carrierinflow port 515, and a heat carrier outflow port 516. The ports 512,513, 514, 515, 516 project outwardly from the housing of the oxygenator5. The oxygenator 5 also includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle. Thehollow fiber membrane bundle is housed in the housing of the oxygenatorand is comprised of a large number of integrated hollow fiber membranesadapted to perform a gas exchange function in a known manner. Further, afilter member may be disposed at the periphery of the hollow fibermembrane bundle. This filter is configured to trap bubbles.

The pump 4 transfers blood in the extracorporeal circuit 1 (circuit body9). The pump 4 has a rotator which rotates under the control of acontrol device. The pump 4 can adjust the quantity of transferred liquidaccording to the number of rotations of the rotator. The pump 4 isdisposed between the blood reservoir 3 and the oxygenator 5, and isconnected to the tube 92 connected to the blood reservoir 3 and the tube93 connected to the oxygenator 5 as shown by way of example in FIG. 1.

As described above, the circuit body 9 includes the tubes 90, 92, 93,96. Further, the tube 90 can be divided into three regions or portions,namely the tubes 91, 94, 95. As shown in FIG. 1, as well as FIGS. 2 and3, the circuitry of the extracorporeal circuit 1 is configured such thatthe tube 91 serving as a venous line during extracorporeal circulation,the blood reservoir 3, the tube 92, the pump 4, the tube 93, theoxygenator 5, the tube 94 serving as an arterial line duringextracorporeal circulation, and the tube 95 serving as a linkage linelinking the ends of the tubes 91, 94, are connected in this order.

The tube 95 is set in the extracorporeal circuit 1 until theextracorporeal circuit 1 is primed with the priming solution P as shownfor example in FIG. 3. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5 (similarly inFIGS. 6-11), when blood B is extracorporeally circulated, a part of thetube 95, for example between the central part of a loop 951 of the tube95 and a portion on the tube 94 side is cut and removed. The remainingparts thereof are connected to catheters previously indwelled in apatient, respectively. In this state, extracorporeal circulation ofblood B is performed.

Further, in the extracorporeal circuit 1, an intermediate portion(middle) of the tube 91 and an intermediate portion (middle) of the tube94 are linked by the tube 96. The tube 96 functions as a recirculationline when recirculation of blood B is carried out at the extracorporealcircuit 1.

The tube 10 is connected to the tube 91 at a position between the pointwhere the tube 91 is connected to the tube 96 and the point where thetube 91 is connected to the reservoir 3. The tube 10 is connected withthe collection bag 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 10 isconnected to the collection bag 7 by way of an inlet tube 72. The tube10 and the inlet tube 72 together constitute a line connecting thecollection bag 7 to the tube 91. The priming solution P passes throughthe tube 10 to be collected into the collection bag 7. The configurationof the collection bag 7 will be described later.

The clamps 30 are set at intermediate regions (e.g., middle) of the tube96 and an inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7. The clamps 30 can pressand close the respective tubes. This brings the tube 96 (similarly forthe inlet tube 72) into the closed state. When the pressed and closedstate of the clamp 30 is released, the tube 96 (similarly for the inlettube 72) is in an opened state. Instead of positioning the clamp 30 inthe intermediate region (e.g., middle) of the inlet tube 72 of thecollection bag 7, the clamp 30 may be set in an intermediate region(e.g., middle) of the tube 10.

The amount of priming solution P to be fed is preferably 750 to 1500 mLwhen the lengths of the tubes 91, 94 occupying the most part of thecircuit body 9 are respectively, for example, 100 to 200 cm.

Examples of the priming solution P may include physiological saline anda lactated Ringer's solution.

The collection container (collection bag) 7 is adapted to collect thepriming solution P. As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the collection bag 7 isdisposed at a vertically lower position than the blood reservoir 3during use, whereby the bottom wall of the collection container 7 isvertically lower than (vertically below) the bottom wall of thereservoir 3. More specifically, in setting the height of the collectionbag 7, the height of the opening 721 of the inlet tube 72 is alignedwith the height of the objective liquid level L1 (in the state shown inFIG. 3, as well as FIG. 7) in the blood reservoir 3 to such a degree asto enable collection of the priming solution P from the blood reservoir3 according to the principle of a siphon described later. This causes adifference in pressure between the pressure applied on the primingsolution P in the blood reservoir 3 and the pressure applied on thepriming solution P of the opening 721. Namely, according to theprinciple of a siphon, the priming solution P can be transferred fromthe blood reservoir 3 to be collected into the collection bag 7 withreliability (compare, for example, the state shown in FIG. 2 to thestate shown in FIG. 3).

The method of adjustment of the setting height of the collection bag 7is not particularly restricted. However, for example, in thisembodiment, adjustment thereof can be carried out by the collection bagsupport device 8 shown in FIG. 13.

The collection container (collection bag) 7 comprises a bag body 71formed of a sack body, the inlet tube (introduction part) 72 provided onthe bag body 71, and a communication tube 73 constituting acommunication part. The collection container is flexible in that itpossesses flexible side walls.

As shown in FIG. 14, the bag body 71 is in the shape of a rectangle inplan configuration. The bag body 71 is configured as follows. As withthe bag 6, two sheet materials having flexibility made of soft resinsuch as polyvinyl chloride are stacked. The peripheries of the twosheets are fused or bonded in a band to form a fused part 713, resultingin a sack form. Further, the space (the inside of the sack body) formedbetween the sheet materials is divided into a first space 711 and asecond space 712 in the longitudinal direction (the vertical directionin FIG. 14) by a partition part 74. The first space 711 communicateswith the inlet tube 72 so that the priming solution P is introduced intothe space 711 from the tube 10. The inlet tube 72 thus constitutes anintroduction part. The first space 711 and the second space 712communicate with each other via the communication tube 73.

As shown in FIG. 13 (as well as FIGS. 1-11), the posture or orientationof the collection bag 7 during use is such that the first space 711 islocated above (vertically/elevationally higher) the second space 712. Asa result of this, the priming solution P introduced into the first space711 via the inlet tube 72 passes through the communication tube 73, andis reliably collected into the second space 712 as generally seen inFIG. 14. The volume of the second space 712 is set almost equal to orslightly larger than the volume of the bag 6.

The volume of the first space 711 is smaller than the volume of thesecond space 712. In the bag body 71, the priming solution P is notstored in the first space 711. Therefore, the first space 711 is thedead space of the bag body 71. The smaller volume of the first space 711relative to the second space 712 helps enable the proportion occupied bythe dead space, i.e., the first space 711 with respect to the whole bagbody 71, to be suppressed. Thus, this configuration contributes to thesize reduction of the bag body 71.

The partition part 74 that divides the inside of the bag body 71 intothe first space 711 and the second space 712 can be formed by fusing thesheet materials forming the bag body 71 in a band as with the fused part713. In other words, as mentioned above, the bag body can be formed bytwo sheets of material fused together along their peripheries. Thepartition plate 74 can be provided by fusing together the two sheets inthe area corresponding to the desired location of the partition plate74.

The partition part 74 is configured and oriented such that the partdefining the first space 711 is an inclined or tilted part 741. Thepriming solution P introduced into the first space 711 flows downwardlyin the direction of tilt of the tilted part 741. Further, thecommunication tube 73 is located at the lower part in the direction oftilt of the tilted part 741. This prevents the priming solution Pflowing toward the communication tube 73 along the tilt part 741 fromremaining in the first space 711. The priming solution P flows into thesecond space 712 via the communication tube 73 (see FIG. 14).

A plurality of suspending parts 719 are provided in the bag body 71. Thesuspending parts 719 suspend the collection bag 7 on the collection bagsupport device 8. In the illustrated embodiment, respective suspendingparts 719 are formed of holes formed in the fused part 713 and thepartition part 74. A prescribed suspending part 719 of these suspendingparts 719 is hung on the collection bag support device 8. This canbrings the collection bag 7 into such a state that the first space 711is situated above the second space 712 (suspended state). This enablesthe use of the collection bag in this state as shown in FIG. 13. Thesite at which each suspending part 719 is formed has no particularrestriction. However, examples of the site may include the upper endcorner portion of the fused part 713 or an intermediate part (middle)thereof, an intermediate portion (middle) of the partition part 74, andthe crossing part of the partition part 74 and the fused part 713.

As shown in FIG. 14, the inlet tube 72 is set at the upper end part ofthe bag body 71. The inlet tube 72 serves as a member for introducingthe priming solution P from the tube 10 into the first space 711.

An intermediate part (e.g., middle) of the inlet tube 72 is supportedand fixed Lo a part of the fused part 713 of the bag body 71. Further,the inlet tube 72 is fixed in an inclined state. The inclined inlet tube72 is configured such that the opening 721 is located in the first space711, and an opening 722 is present on the opposite side from the opening721. The bore part 723 of the inlet tube 72 communicates with the firstspace 711 via the opening 721. Further, the tube 10 is connected to theopening 722. Thus, the priming solution P which has passed through thetube 10 flows into the bore part 723 of the inlet tube 72 via theopening 722.

As described above, the inlet tube 72 is fixed in an inclined state.Accordingly, the opening 721 is upwardly opened. When the opening 721 ofthe inlet tube 72 is downwardly opened, for example, when droplets dropfrom the opening 721, air unfavorably enters the inlet tube 72 in anamount equivalent to the dropped droplets. In order to prevent theoccurrence of such a problem, it is preferable that the direction inwhich the opening 721 of the inlet tube 72 is opened is controlled orregulated.

In this illustrated embodiment, the opening 721 is upwardly opened.However, the configuration of the opening 721 is not limited thereto.For example, the opening 721 may be opened toward the horizontaldirection.

The communication tube 73 is located at the vertically lower part of theopening 721 of the inlet tube 72. As a result of this, when the primingsolution P flows into the first space 711 via the inlet tube 72, thepriming solution P quickly flows into the communication tube 73.

The material for forming the inlet tube 72 is not particularly limited.However, the same material as that used for the housing body 31 of theblood reservoir 3 can be used.

As shown in FIG. 14, the communication tube 73 is set in the bag body 71in such a manner as to extend in both the first space 711 and the secondspace 712. The priming solution P in the first space 711 flows into thesecond space 712 via the communication tube 73.

The communication tube 73 is supported and fixed at its intermediate(middle) portion to a part of the partition part 74. Further, thecommunication tube 73 is fixed in such an orientation that thelongitudinal direction of the tube 73 is the vertical direction in theuse state (suspended state) of the collection bag 7.

A plurality of side holes 731 opening toward the first space 711 areformed in the wall part (tube wall) of the communication tube 73.Respective side holes 731 are located in the vicinity of the partitionpart 74, on the upper side of the partition part 74. The primingsolution P in the first space 711 flows into the bore part 733 of thecommunication tube 73 via the side holes 731. Then, the priming solutionP is collected in the second space 712 via the lower end opening 732(the end on the second space 712 side). The flow of the priming solutionP is indicated with an arrow in FIG. 14.

The communication tube 73 extends to the vicinity of the bottom 714 ofthe bag body 71. Thus, the lower end opening 732 is located in thevicinity of the bottom 714.

The upper end 734 of the communication tube 73 is open in the mannershown in FIG. 14. However, the configuration of the upper end of thecommunication tube 73 is not limited in that regard, and the upper end734 of the communication tube 73 may be closed.

The material for forming the communication tube 73 is not particularlylimited. However, as an example, the same material as that used for thehousing body 31 of the blood reservoir 3 can be used.

When the collection bag 7 is the unused state, i.e., in such a statethat the priming solution P has not yet been collected, generally theportions (which are hereinafter referred to as “space defining parts 712a) of the respective sheet materials forming the bag body 71 definingthe second space 712 are in close contact with each other. From thisstate, according to the principle of a siphon (the difference in heightof the liquid level L1 of the priming solution P in the blood reservoir3 from the opening 721 of the collection bag 7), the priming solution Pin the blood reservoir 3 is once introduced into the first space 711 viathe inlet tube 72. Then, the introduced priming solution P is collectedin (flows into) the second space 712 via the communication tube 73. Atthis time, the bonded space defining parts 712 a start to be separatedfrom each other. Therefore, the volume of the second space 712increases, and the pressure (internal pressure) of the inside of thesecond space 712 decreases. In the collection bag 7, the first space 711and the second space 712 are divided by the partition part 74.Therefore, the first space 711 is prevented (or inhibited) fromreceiving the effects of the decrease in pressure of the second space712. For this reason, the internal pressure of the first space 711 doesnot substantially change. As used here, the phrase “the internalpressure of the first space 711 does not substantially change” denotesthat the change ratio of the internal pressure of the first space 711 is0 to 5%.

With a conventional collection bag configured such that two sheetmaterials having flexibility are simply fused at the edges thereof toform only one space (storage space), when a priming solution flows intothe space, the pressure of the inside of the space decreases. Then, thepriming solution is drawn (collected) into the collection bagexcessively (involuntarily) by virtue of this increase in pressure.

Here though, even when the priming solution P is collected in thecollection bag 7 as described above, a substantial change in theinternal pressure of the first space 711 into which the priming solutionP is introduced does not occur. Therefore, excessive collection of thepriming solution P is prevented with reliability. Stated differently,the collection of priming solution P in the bag 7 can better controlled.

As described above, the lower end opening 732 of the communication tube73 is located in the vicinity of the bottom 714. Therefore, in arelatively early period from start of flow of the priming solution Pinto the second space 712, the height of the liquid level L2 of thepriming solution P in the second space 712 exceeds the height of thelower end opening 732 of the communication tube 73 as shown in FIG. 14.In this state, communication between the part of the second space 712except for the priming solution P and the first space 711 is blocked bythe priming solution P in the second space 712. As a result, even whenthe pressure of the part of the second space 712 except for the primingsolution P changes (increases or decreases), the first space 711 doesnot experience (i.e., does not receive or is not subjected to) theeffect of the change. As a result, a substantial change does not occurin the internal pressure of the first space 711. This helps prevent thepriming solution P in the inlet tube 72 (tube 10) from beinginvoluntarily thrust back, nor being drawn. As a result, the primingsolution P can be collected in the proper quantity in the collection bag7.

Thus, collection of the priming solution P can be carried out in adesirable manner.

As described above, the collection bag 7 is supported to the collectionbag support device 8 during use (the collection bag support device 8 isomitted from illustration in FIGS. 1-11). As shown in FIG. 13, thecollection bag support device 8 includes a base 81, a column 82supported at its lower end by the base 81, a moving member 83 mounted onthe column 82 to move in the longitudinal direction along the column 82,two hooks 84 supported by the moving member 83, and a setscrew 85 forfixing the moving member 83 to the column 82. These respective memberscan be formed of, for example, various metal materials or various resinmaterials.

The base 81 is a member in the shape of a fiat plate. The base 81 has asize and a weight of such a degree as to prevent the collection bagsupport device 8 from tilting even when the collection bag 7 issupported on the collection bag support device 8.

The column 82 has a cylindrical outer shape.

The moving member 83 is formed of an elongated member, and has a hole831 at one of its ends that allows the column 82 to be insertedtherethrough. The side part of the moving member 83 is provided with athreaded through hole that communicates with the hole 831.

Each hook 84 possesses an L-shape. Further, the hooks 84 are spacedapart from each other along the longitudinal extent of the moving member83. By inserting respective hooks 84 into the suspending parts 719 ofthe collection bag 7, the collection bag 7 can be suspended and used inthe suspended state.

The setscrew 85 includes a male screw part 851, and a head part 852 atone end of the male screw part 851. The male screw part 851 screws intothe threaded through hole of the moving part 83 so that the end of themale screw part 851 opposite the head part 852 engages (contacts) theouter circumferential surface of the column 82. As a result, the movingmember 83 can be fixed in position along the vertical extent of thecolumn 82. Accordingly, the collection bag 7 can be held at a prescribedposition (height).

By loosening the setscrew 85, the moving member 83 is released and canbe moved. As a result, the setting height of the collection bag 7 withrespect to the blood reservoir 3B can be changed.

Thus, the extracorporeal circuit 1 is configured such that the settingheight of the collection bag 7 with respect to the blood reservoir 3 canbe adjusted by movement of the moving member 83 of the collection bagsupport device 8. As a result, the amount of the priming solution P tobe collected in the collection bag 7 can be appropriately set asdesired.

The column 82 has a cylindrical outer shape. As a result, when thesetscrew 85 is released to allow the moving member 83 to be moved, themoving member 83 is able to rotate about the shaft of the column 82.This can change the orientation of the held collection bag 7 accordingto, for example, the standing position of the user. As a result, thecollection state of the priming solution P to be collected in thecollection bag 7 can be visually observed with relative ease.

One example of a method for using the extracorporeal circuit 1 describedabove is now set forth. Initially, it is assumed that the tube 20 hasnot yet been connected to the feed bag 6 filled with the primingsolution P.

In the initial state shown in FIG. 1, the pump 4 is stopped. The clamp30 disposed along the tube 96 is in the open state, and the clamp 30disposed along the inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7 is in a closedstate.

Three forceps 40 (each individual forceps 40 is referred to as a pair offorceps) are applied to the tube 91 in this initial state. Referring toFIG. 1, the setting site for one pair of the forceps 40 is between theplace where the tube 91 joins the tube 95 and the place where the tube91 joins the tube 96, but closer to the tube 95 (i.e., adjacent the tube95). The setting site for a second pair of the forceps 40 is alsobetween the place where the tube 91 joins the tube 95 and the placewhere the tube 91 joins the tube 96, but closer to the tube 96 (i.e.,adjacent the tube 96). The setting site of a third pair of the forceps40 is between the point where the tube 91 joins the tube 96 (the tube10) and the point where the tube 91 joins the blood reservoir 3.Hereinafter, the parts of the tube 91 to which respective forceps 40 areset are referred to as the “forceps-attached part 911”, the“forceps-attached part 912”, and the “forceps-attached part 913”sequentially from the tube 95 side (the top side in FIG. 1).

Two additional forceps 40 are provided in the initial state and are setto the tube 94. The setting site of one pair of forceps 40 is, in thecircuitry shown in FIG. 1, between the place where the tube 94 joins thetube 95 and the place where the tube 94 joins the tube 96, but closer tothe tube 95 (i.e., adjacent the tube 95). The setting site of the otherpair of forceps 40 is between the place where the tube 94 joins the tube95 and the place where the tube 94 joins the tube 96, but closer to thetube 96 (i.e., adjacent the tube 96). Hereinafter, the parts of the tube94 to which respective pairs of forceps 40 are set are referred to asthe “forceps-attached part 941” and the “forceps-attached part 942”sequentially from the tube 95 side (the top side of FIG. 1).

The collection bag 7 is set on (supported or hung on) the collection bagsupport device 8. The setting height of the collection bag 7 is set suchthat the height of the opening 721 of the collection bag 7 is alignedwith the objective height of the liquid level L1 (shown in FIG. 3 or 7)in the blood reservoir 3. Using the collection bag support device 8, theheight of the collection bag 7 is adjusted to be such a height.

The height of the collection bag 7 is thus set. This allows the primingsolution P to be collected into the collection bag 7 relatively easilyand quickly according to the principle of a siphon to be describedlater.

Next, all of the pairs of forceps 40 are removed, and the tube 20 isconnected to the bag 6. As a result, the priming solution P in the bag 6flows into the blood reservoir 3 through the tube 20 by its own weight,and further, flows in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 2. Further, atthis time, the pump 4 is also operated.

When the tube 20 is connected to the bag 6, the priming solution P inthe bag 6 first passes through the tube 20 and the connecting port 36 ofthe blood reservoir 3 sequentially, and is introduced into the housing33. The priming solution P introduced in the housing 33 flows out of theconnecting port 35. The priming solution P then sequentially passesthrough the tube 92, the pump 4 and the tube 93, and is fed to theoxygenator 5. The priming solution P further passes through theoxygenator 5, and flows into the tube 94. The priming solution P flowinginto the tube 94 is divided into two flows, one directed toward the tube96 from the middle of the tube 94, and the other which continues flowingalong the tube 94 to the end (downstream side) of the tube 94 where itis directed toward the tube 95.

The priming solution P directed toward the tube 96 from the middle ofthe tube 94 sequentially passes through the tube 96 and the tube 91, andflows back into the blood reservoir 3. Further, the priming solution Pwhich is directed towards the tube 95 passes through the tube 95 and thetube 91 sequentially, and merges into the priming solution P from thetube 96 in the middle of the tube 91, and flows into the blood reservoir3 again. Then, the liquid level L1 of the priming solution P in theblood reservoir 3 lies at an elevationally higher position than theposition of the opening 72 of the collection bag 7.

The priming solution P passing through the tube 91 partly flows into theblood reservoir 3, and partly branches from the tube 91 and flows fromthe tube 10 even to the portion of the inlet tube 72 closed by the clamp30. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the tube 10 is filledwith the priming solution P which has flowed into the tube 10.

Through the foregoing process, the entire extracorporeal circuit 1,except for the bag 6 and the tube 20, is filled with the primingsolution P. That is, the entire extracorporeal circuit 1, except for thebag 6 and the tube 20, is primed. Also, in the extracorporeal circuit 1,the liquid level L1 of the liquid, including the priming solution P (orthe blood B when it is introduced into the blood reservoir as discussedbelow), in the blood reservoir 3 is set so as to be invariably locatedabove the lower end 381 a of the tube 381 (see FIGS. 2-11). As a result,when the priming solution P in the blood reservoir 3 is collected, theprinciple of a siphon can be applied (used).

Further, as described above, the inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7is closed by the clamp 30. This prevents the priming solution P in thetube 10 from flowing into the collection bag 7. As a result, the primingsolution P in the extracorporeal circuit 1 can be prevented from beingcollected in the collection bag 7 involuntarily, namely before primingof the entire extracorporeal circuit 1.

In the state shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to transfer as much ofthe priming solution as possible to the collection bag 7. However, it isalso desirable to keep a certain amount (level) of priming solution inthe blood reservoir to avoid air intrusion into the extracorporealcircuit. The precise volume of fluid which should be retained to avoidair intrusion is not a precise or specific amount, but should preferablybe 100-200 ml. Stated differently, the amount of priming solution P atthe level L1 in FIG. 2 minus the amount of priming solution at the levelL1 in FIG. 3 represents the unnecessary or excessive priming solutionwhich should be transferred to the collection bag 7. In the subsequentoperation following FIG. 2, this unnecessary portion of the primingsolution is transferred to and collected in the collection bag 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the clamp 30 set on the tube 96 is rendered in aclosed state. Further, the forceps 40 are set to the forceps-attachedpart 912 of the tube 91, and the forceps 40 are set to theforceps-attached part 942 of the tube 94. Further, at this time, theoperation of the pump 4 is stopped.

Thereafter, the clamp 30 on the inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7 isrendered in an open state (i.e., is opened). As a result, the tube 91and the bag body 71 communicate with each other via the tube 10 and theinlet tube 72. As a result, by the difference in height of the liquidlevel L1 in the blood reservoir 3 from the opening 721 of the collectionbag 7, namely, based on the siphon principle, the priming solution P istransferred to and collected in the collection bag 7 in the followingmanner. This is shown by a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3. As describedabove, the opening 721 of the collection bag 7 is located at the heightof the objective liquid level.

When the clamp 30 on the inlet tube 72 is opened (rendered in an openstate), by virtue of the difference in pressure between the pressure(atmospheric pressure) applied on the liquid level L1 of the primingsolution P in the housing body 31 and the pressure applied on the distalend of the priming solution P in the inlet tube 72, the priming solutionP in the housing body 31 passes through the tube 381 and is introducedinto the tube 91. Then, the priming solution P introduced in the tube 91flows in the direction in which it can flow, i.e., toward the tube 10.This causes the priming solution P to flow (to be collected) into thecollection bag 7. Such a phenomenon continues until the liquid level L1in the blood reservoir 3 is located at the same height as that of theopening 721 of the collection bag 7, i.e., the difference in height iseliminated (the principle of a siphon). As a result, the unnecessaryportion of the priming solution P in the blood reservoir 3 can becollected readily and quickly. Further, as described above, in thecollection bag 7, the change in internal pressure of the first space 711can be inhibited which helps enable the priming solution P to becollected into the collection bag 7.

Thus, with the extracorporeal circuit 1, so long as the height of theopening 721 of the collection bag 7 is appropriately adjusted, thepriming solution P in the amount corresponding thereto flows into thecollection bag 7. As a result, when the extracorporeal circuit 1 isoperated, an operator is not required to carry out the operation whileobserving the position of the liquid level L1 in the blood reservoir 3.

After the priming solution P is thus collected, the clamp 30 set to theinlet tube 72 is rendered in a closed state again as shown in FIG. 4.Further, the forceps 40 are attached to the forceps-attached part 911 ofthe tube 91, and the forceps 40 are attached to the forceps-attachedpart 941 of the tube 94.

In such a state, as described above, the tube 95 is cut, and isconnected to the arterial-line catheter of the two catheters previouslyindwelled in a patient.

From the state shown in FIG. 4, two pairs of forceps 40 of the tube 94(forceps-attached parts 941 and 942) are removed, respectively. At thisstep, blood B flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 into thetube 94 from the patient via the arterial-line catheter due to the bloodpressure and the difference in height. The flow of the blood B isopposite to that in normal extracorporeal circulation.

The blood B which has flowed into the tube 94 further passes through theoxygenator 5, the tube 93, the pump 4, and the tube 92 sequentially, andflows into the projection 311 of the housing 33 via the connecting port35 of the blood reservoir 3. The blood B thrusts the priming solution Pin the tube 94, the oxygenator 5, the tube 93, the pump 4, and the tube92 into the housing 33. In other words, the priming solution P in thetube 94, the oxygenator 5, the tube 93, the pump 4, and the tube 92 isreplaced with the blood B.

Further, when the blood B flows into the projection 311, the blood B ismixed with the priming solution P in the projection 311. Namely, byvirtue of the blood B, a part of the priming solution P in theprojection 311 is colored red, but lighter than the red color of theblood B. The part located between the priming solution P and the blood Bin the projection 311 in FIG. 5 denotes a liquid mixture M including thepriming solution P and the blood B mixed together.

After such coloring is observed, the forceps 40 are set to theforceps-attached part 942 of the tube 94 again as illustrated in FIG. 6.This stops the blood B from flowing into the tube 94. Further, the riseof the liquid level L1 in the blood reservoir 3 is accordingly alsostopped.

In the state shown in FIG. 6, the priming solution P present in the tube94, the oxygenator 5, the tube 93, the pump 4, and the tube 92 remainsin the blood reservoir 3. Further, the priming solution P is leftbetween the tube 381 in the blood reservoir 3 and the part of the tube91 to which the tube 10 is connected. In the subsequent step, theunnecessary portion of the priming solution P is collected into thecollection bag 7.

From the state shown in FIG. 6, the clamp 30 set to the inlet tube 72 ofthe collection bag 7 is rendered in an open state again as illustratedin FIG. 7. As a result, almost as with the aspect of the operationdescribed earlier, the priming solution P (also including the liquidmixture M) in the blood reservoir 3, and the priming solution P betweenthe tube 381 in the blood reservoir 3 and the part of the tube 91 towhich the tube 10 is connected, flow into the collection bag 7 throughthe tube 10. Incidentally, the inflow of the priming solution Pcontinues until the liquid level L1 in the blood reservoir 3 is situatedat the same height as that of the opening 721 of the collection bag 7.

Thus, by a simple operation in which the clamp 30 is rendered in an openstate, the unnecessary amount of the priming solution P can be collectedreadily and quickly. Further, also in this operational aspect, in thecollection bag 7, the change in internal pressure of the first space 711is inhibited or prevented, and hence the priming solution P can becollected into the collection bag 7.

After the inflow of the priming solution P is thus stopped, the clamp 30set to the inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7 is rendered in a closedstate again as indicated in FIG. 8. Further, thereafter, the forceps 40are removed from the forceps-attached part 942 of the tube 94.

In this state, the blood B flows again in the direction of the arrow inFIG. 8 from the patient via the arterial-line catheter due to the bloodpressure and the difference in height. As a result, in theextracorporeal circuit 1, the tube 94, the oxygenator 5, the tube 93,the pump 4, the tube 92, and the blood reservoir 3 are filled with(replaced with) the blood B as indicated in FIG. 8).

After the blood reservoir 3 is filled with a prescribed amount of theblood B, the forceps 40 are set again at the forceps-attached part 942of the tube 94. As a result, the inflow of the blood B into the tube 94is stopped. Whereas, the forceps 40 are also set to the forceps-attachedpart 913 of the tube 91. Thereafter, the tube 91 is connected to avenous-line catheter previously indwelled in the patient.

In this state, the clamp 30 set to the inlet tube 72 of the collectionbag 7 is rendered in an open state again as shown in FIG. 9.

From the state shown in FIG. 9, the forceps 40 set to theforceps-attached parts 911 and 912 of the tube 91 are respectivelyremoved. At this time, the blood B flows from the patient into the tube91 via the venous-line catheter due to the blood pressure and thedifference in height. The blood B which has flowed into the tube 91thrusts the priming solution P in the tube 91 in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 10. As a result, the priming solution P in the tube 91 iscollected via the tube 10 into the collection bag 7.

After the priming solution P in the tube 91 is replaced with the bloodB, the clamp 30 set to the inlet tube 72 of the collection bag 7 isrendered in a closed state again. Thereafter, the forceps 40 set to theforceps-attached part 913 of the tube 91 and the forceps 40 set to theforceps-attached part 942 of the tube 94 are respectively removed.

In this state, the blood B flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG.11 due to the difference in height and the blood pressure. Further, atthis step, the pump 4 is operated again.

In other words, when the pump 4 is operated, the blood B drawn via thevenous-line catheter from the patient passes through the tube 91 (venousline), and first, flows into the blood reservoir 3. In the bloodreservoir 3, bubbles in the blood B are removed by the action of thefilter member 382. The blood B from which bubbles have been removedflows out of the connecting port 35 of the blood reservoir 3, passes inthe pump 4, and is fed to the oxygenator 5. In the oxygenator 5, gasexchange is carried out on the blood B. The blood B subjected to gasexchange passes through the tube 94 (arterial line), and is returned tothe patient via the catheter.

With the foregoing operation, to replace the priming solution P in theextracorporeal circuit 1 with the blood B after the extracorporealcircuit 1 is primed, the clamp 30 set to the tube 10 is operated. Withsuch a relatively simple operation or the like, the priming solution Pcan be readily and quickly collected in the proper quantity. For thisreason, the process can quickly proceeds to the extracorporealcirculation operation using the extracorporeal circuit 1.

Further, the extracorporeal circuit 1 can thrust the priming solution Ptoward the collection bag 7 by the blood B, i.e., can perform RAP. Thiscan inhibit or prevent the blood B in the extracorporeal circuit 1 frombeing diluted with the priming solution P.

From the state shown in FIG. 11, the one pair of forceps 40 is set tothe forceps-attached part 912 of the tube 91 and another pair of forceps40 is set to the forceps-attached part 942 of the tube 94. Then, theclamp 30 of the tube 96 can be rendered in an open state (i.e., opened).In this case, the blood B which has come out of the oxygenator 5 passesthrough the tube 96 (recirculation line) and the blood reservoir 3, andreturns to the pump 4 again. Thus, the blood B repeatedly circulatesthrough the annular passage including the pump 4 and the oxygenator 5.

FIG. 15 illustrates a liquid collection bag according to a secondembodiment. The following description will focus primarily ondifferences between this second embodiment of the liquid collection bagand its use in the extracorporeal circuit, and the first embodimentdescribed above. Features associated with the second embodiment of theliquid collection bag that are the same as those previously describedare identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed descriptionof such features is not repeated here.

This second embodiment of the collection bag is similar to the firstembodiment except that the configurations of the communication parts aredifferent.

The collection bag 7A shown in FIG. 15 includes a check valve 75 ispositioned at an intermediate portion (e.g., the middle) of thecommunication tube 73A. The check valve is positioned between the sidehole 731 and the opening 732. The check valve 75 is formed of, forexample, a duckbill valve. The check valve 75 can permit flow of a fluid(priming solution P or air) from the first space 711 to the second space712 in the communication tube 73A, and can forbid or prevent flow in theopposite direction.

Even when the check valve 75 changes the pressure of the inside of thesecond space 712, the first space 711 is more reliably prevented fromreceiving the effect of the pressure change. Accordingly, the internalpressure of the first space 711 does not substantially change and so thepriming solution P can be collected in the proper quantity.

FIG. 16 illustrates a liquid collection bag according to a thirdembodiment. The following description will focus primarily ondifferences between this third embodiment of the liquid collection bagand its use in the extracorporeal circuit, and the embodiments describedabove. Features associated with the third embodiment of the liquidcollection bag that are the same as those previously described areidentified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description ofsuch features is not repeated here.

This third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that theconfigurations of the bag body and the communication parts aredifferent.

The bag body 71 of the collection bag 7B shown in FIG. 16 includes afused part 76 continuously formed from one end of the partition part 74.That is, like the partition plate 74, the part 76 can be formed byfusing together the two bag-forming sheets along a region correspondingto the part 76. The fused part 76 extends downwardly in a band andgenerally forms a wall. The fused part 76 faces a part of the fused part713 (this part is hereinafter referred to as a “communication partforming part 713 a”) with a gap 735 interposed therebetween. Thus, thewall 76 is spaced from the fused peripheral edges of the sheets formingthe collection bag. With this configuration of the collection bag 7B,the fused part 76 and the communication part forming part 713 a functionas a communication part 73B for establishing communication between thefirst space 711 and the second space 712. The gap 735 of thecommunication part 73B functions as the passage for the priming solutionP. When such a communication part 73B is formed in the bag body 71, itcan be formed in the same manner as with the fused part 13 and thepartition part 74 (in one step). This facilitates manufacturing of thecollection bag 7B.

The bottom 714 of the bag body 71 is inclined toward the lower endopening 732 of the communication part 73B. This facilitates the storageof the priming solution P in the vicinity of the lower end opening 732.As a result, in a relatively earlier period from start of flow of thepriming solution P into the second space 712, the height of the liquidlevel L2 of the priming solution P in the second space 712 exceeds theheight of the lower end opening 732 of the communication tube 73 asshown in FIG. 16. In this state illustrated in FIG. 16, as with thefirst embodiment, communication between the part of the second space 712except for the priming solution P and the first space 711 is blocked bythe priming solution P in the second space 712. As a result, even whenthe pressure of the part of the second space 712 except for the primingsolution P changes, the first space 711 is inhibited or prevented fromreceiving the effect of the pressure change. Accordingly, the internalpressure of the first space 711 does not substantially change. Thishelps enable the priming solution P to be collected in the properquantity.

FIG. 17 illustrates a liquid collection bag according to a fourthembodiment. The following description will focus primarily ondifferences between this fourth embodiment of the liquid collection bagand its use in the extracorporeal circuit, and the embodiments describedabove. Features associated with the fourth embodiment of the liquidcollection bag that are the same as those previously described areidentified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description ofsuch features is not repeated here.

This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that theconfiguration of the blood reservoir is different. A holding member 50for holding (hanging) the collection bag 7 is set on the side surface ofthe blood reservoir 3A (housing 33) shown in FIG. 17. The holding member50 includes a plate-like support plate 501 and two hooks 502 supportedon and extending from the front side of the support plate 501.

The support plate 501 is formed of the same material as, for example,the material used to fabricate the housing body 31 of the bloodreservoir 3A. A double-sided adhesive tape is bonded to the back side ofthe support plate 501. Attachment of the double-sided adhesive tapeenables the holding member 50 to be attached to or detached from theblood reservoir 3A. Accordingly, the setting height of the holdingmember 50 with respect to the blood reservoir 3A can be changed asindicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17.

Each hook 502 is l-shaped and is formed of a metal material such asstainless steel. By inserting respective hooks 502 into the suspendingparts 719 of the collection bag 7, respectively, the collection bag 7can be used in a suspended (hung) state.

The adhesive strength of the double-sided adhesive tape is set to such adegree that the holding member 50 does not detach from the housing body31 even when the collection bag 7 is filled with the priming solution Pwith the collection bag 7 suspended on the holding member 50.

Thus, with the extracorporeal circuit 1 of this embodiment, the holdingmember 50 is configured such that the setting height of the bloodreservoir 3A of the collection bag 7 with respect to the housing body 31is adjustable. As a result, the amount of the priming solution P to becollected into the collection bag 7 can be appropriately set.

FIG. 18 illustrates a liquid collection bag according to a fifthembodiment. The following description will focus primarily ondifferences between this fifth embodiment of the liquid collection bagand its use in the extracorporeal circuit, and the embodiments describedabove. Features associated with the fifth embodiment of the liquidcollection bag that are the same as those previously described areidentified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description ofsuch features is not repeated here.

This fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment except thatthe configuration of the blood reservoir is different. Here, a holdingmechanism 60 for holding (hanging) the collection bag 7 is set on theside surface of the blood reservoir 3B (housing 33) shown in FIG. 18.The holding mechanism 60 includes a column 601 supported at its lowerend by the housing body 31 of the blood reservoir 3B (i.e., the lowerend of the column 601 is fixed to the housing body 31), a moving member602 positioned on the column 601 and movable along the longitudinalextent of the column 601, two hooks 603 supported by and extendingoutwardly from the moving member 602, and a setscrew (fixing member) 604for fixing the moving member 602 to the column 601.

The column 601 has a cylindrical outer shape. The moving member 602 isan elongated member and has a hole 602 a at one end portion receivingthe column 601. A threaded hole is provided at the side part of themoving member 602. This through hole communicates with the hole 602 a.

Each hook 603 is L-shaped and is formed of a metal material such asstainless steel. Further, these hooks 603 are spaced apart from eachother in the longitudinal direction of the moving member 602. Byinserting respective hooks 603 in their corresponding suspending parts719 of the collection bag 7, the collection bag 7 can be used in asuspended state.

The setscrew 604 includes a male screw part 604 a, and a head part 604 bat one end of the male screw part 604 a. The male screw part 604 of thesetscrew 604 is screwed into the threaded through hole of the movingmember 602. Further, the other end of the female screw part 604 isengaged with the outer circumferential surface of the column 601. As aresult, the moving member 602 can be fixed to the column 601, and hencethe collection bag 7 can be held at a prescribed position (height).

By loosening the setscrew 604, the fixing of the moving member 602 isreleased. Thus, the moving member 602 can be moved. As a result, thesetting height of the collection bag 7 with respect to the bloodreservoir 3B can be changed.

Thus, with the extracorporeal circuit 1 of this embodiment, the settingheight of the collection bag 7 with respect to the blood reservoir 3Acan be adjusted by movement of the moving member 602 of the holdingmechanism 60. As a result, the amount of the priming solution P to becollected in the collection bag 7 can be appropriately set.

The column 601 has a cylindrical outer shape. As a result, once thesetscrew 604 is operated to release the moving member 602, the movingmember 602 can be rotated about the shaft of the column 601. Theorientation of the held collection bag 7 can thus be changed accordingto, for example, the standing position of a user. As a result ofthis(the collection state of the priming solution P to be collected inthe collection bag 7 can be visually observed with relative ease.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a liquid collection bag according to afurther embodiment. The following description will focus primarily ondifferences between this sixth embodiment of the liquid collection bagand its use in the extracorporeal circuit, and the embodiments describedabove. Features associated with the sixth embodiment of the liquidcollection bag that are the same as those previously described areidentified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description ofsuch features is not repeated here.

This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that theconfiguration of the suspending part of the collection bag is different.The collection bag 7C shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 has a detachablesuspending instrument (suspending part) 77. The suspending instrument 77has an elongated support plate 771, six buttons 772 a, 772 b, 772 c, 772d, 772 e, 772 f supported by the support plate 771, a hook part 773, anda connecting part 774 for connecting the hook part 773 and the supportplate 771.

The support plate 771 is a plate member having almost the same length asthe width of the bag body 71. The support plate 771 supports the buttons772 a-772 f.

Respective buttons 772 a-772 f are fittable into prescribed suspendingparts 719 of the bag body 71. By fitting respective buttons 772 a-772 finto prescribed suspending parts 719, the suspending instrument 77 canbe mounted to the bag body 71. By releasing the respective fits, thesuspending instrument 77 can be removed (detached) from the bag body 71.As a result, it is possible to select whether the suspending instrument77 is used, or is not used.

The hook part 773 is positioned above the support plate 771. The hookpart 773 is L-shaped in side view, and is a site capable of engaging(i.e., being hooked on), for example, the moving member 83 of thecollection bag support device 8 or the moving member 602 of the holdingmechanism 60. As a result, the collection bag 7C with the suspendinginstrument 77 mounted therein (in the state (mounted state) shown inFIGS. 19 and 20) can be suspended on the collection bag support device 8or the holding mechanism 60.

The side of the collection bag 7C opposite from the hook part 773 (i.e.,the front side of the collection bag 7C) is provided with a tube holdingpart 775 for holding the tube 10. The tube holding part 775 is generallyin the form of a ring, and has a notch part (cut-out) 776 obtained bycutting off a part of the tube holding part 775. The tube-holding part775 is thus C-shaped. Attachment or detachment of the tube 10 withrespect to the tube holding part 775 can thus be performed.

Further as described above, on the support plate 771, the buttons 772a-772 f are supported. For convenience of description, five suspendingparts 719 of the bag body 71 are referred to as the “suspending parts719 a, 719 b, 719 c, 719 d, 719 e” sequentially clockwise from thesuspending part 719 at upper left of FIG. 20. With the suspendinginstrument 77 in the configuration and orientation shown in FIG. 20, thebutton 772 a fits to the suspending part 719 e of the bag body 71; thebutton 772 b fits to the suspending part 719 d of the bag body 71; andthe button 772 c fits to the suspending part 719 c of the bag body 71.The way in which the suspending instrument 77 is mounted is not limitedto the way of mounting shown in FIG. 20.

In addition, the button 772 f can fit to the suspending part 719 e ofthe bag body 71; the button 772 e can fit to the suspending part 719 dof the bag body 71; and the button 772 d can fit to the suspending part719 c of the bag body 71. As a result, the mounting position of thesuspending instrument 77 with respect to the bag body 71 can be changed.Therefore, the setting height of the collection bag 7C with respect tothe blood reservoir 3 can be adjusted. The amount of priming solution Pto be collected in the collection bag 7C can be appropriately setaccording to the circumstances or situation.

The materials for forming the suspending part 77 are not particularlyrestricted. However, for example, various metal materials and variousresin materials can be used.

The liquid collection bag and the extracorporeal circuit have beendescribed by way of several illustrated embodiments. However, thepresent invention is not limited in this regard. Respective partsforming the liquid collection bag and the extracorporeal circuit can bereplaced with the parts capable of exerting the same or similar effects.Further, components beyond those described above may be added.

Also, the liquid collection bag and the extracorporeal circuit disclosedhere may be a combination of two or more aspects (features) of therespective embodiments.

The description above describes the use of clamps to open and closevarious tubes forming the extracorporeal circuit. However, the inventionis not limited thereto. For example, a valve is also acceptable.

The principles, embodiments and modes of operation of the liquidcollection bag have been described in the foregoing specification, butthe invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construedas limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodimentsdescribed herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embracedthereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid collection bag in combination with a storage container, the liquid collection bag possessing an interior connected in a fluid communicating manner to an interior of the storage container by way of a tube, the interior of the liquid collection bag being adapted to receive and collect liquid from the storage container based on a difference in pressure between an inside of the liquid collection bag and an inside of the storage container, the liquid collection bag comprising: a flexible bag body enclosing the interior of the collection bag, with a partition part dividing the interior of the collection bag into a first space and a second space; an introduction part connected to the tube and having an end positioned in the first space to introduce the liquid from the storage container which has passed through the tube into the first space; the bag body being provided with a communication part extending between the first and second spaces for establishing communication between the first space and the second space; and the liquid from the storage container is introduced into the first space by way of the introduction part, and is collected into the second space by way of the communication part.
 2. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid is collected into the second space, and an internal pressure in the second space changes, the internal pressure of the first space does not substantially change due to the change in internal pressure in the second space.
 3. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the communication part comprises a tubular body in the flexible bag body.
 4. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the communication part comprises a tube in the flexible bag body, and including at least one side hole formed in a wall of the tube and opening toward the first space.
 5. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag body comprises plural sheets fused to one another along peripheral edges of the sheets, and the communication part comprises portions of the two sheets different from the peripheral edges being fused together to form a wall that is spaced from the fuse peripheral edges.
 6. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible body bag possesses a bottom, and wherein the communication part possess an end which opens in the second space in a vicinity of the bottom of the bag body.
 7. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the introduction part comprises a tubular body having an open end at an end of the tubular body positioned in the first space, the open end of the tubular body opening upwardly in the first space.
 8. The liquid collection bag according to claim 3, wherein the tube possesses a plurality of holes opening directly into first space.
 9. The liquid collection bag according to claim 1, wherein the liquid collection bag and the storage container both possess a bottom wall, the bottom wall of the liquid collection bag being located vertically lower than the bottom wall of the storage container.
 10. The extracorporeal circuit according to claim 5, wherein the collection container is movably mounted on a support allowing a height of the collection container to be adjusted. 